A New Way to Play 10 things to know about the PlayStation 4

A New Way to Play 10 things to know about the PlayStation 4

After much speculation, Sony has finally announced the PlayStation 4, a much-needed update to the PlayStation 3, which was released in 2006. Although the actual console was mysteriously absent from the launch event, Sony did unveil some new specs and other details concerning the PC-like system. Here are 10 things to know before you kick your PS3 to the curb.

1. You can be social by broadcasting your own game on Ustream and posting the play session to Facebook. Get all Orwellian and peep your friends’ games in real time on the PlayStation Network. You can comment on them and even “backseat drive,” which means you can take over for your friends with your own controller when they need help (that is, if they’ll let you).

2. You can back up your game and resume it immediately when you turn the console on from a sleep state. Unlike the PS3, you won’t have to wait long for the game to turn on and reload. The startup time will be similar to that of a computer with an SSD hard drive—lickety-split. I know, #firstworldproblems.

3. You won’t be able to pop that PS3 game you love into the new console and play. Instead—according to the confusing reports—you’ll have to stream old games on the Gaikai cloud service.

Sony’s DualShock 4 Controller for Playstation 4

4. The new DualShock 4 controller has motion controls, better rumble capabilities and a touchpad and share button. The share button launches the portal to Ustream and Facebook, allowing you to immediately upload in-game images or video.

9. You can watch movies and stream video or music via Hulu Plus, Vudu, Netflix, Crunchyroll, Crackle, Epix, Music Unlimited, Video Unlimited and Amazon Instant Video. But alas, still no HBO Go.

10. The PS4 will be available by the 2013 holiday shopping season. That might seem a long way away, but just think: Retailers start pushing ads for Thanksgiving in September anyway. The rumored price? Kotaku says there will be two models: one of them priced at $429, the other at $529. Games will be around $60 a pop. Start saving now!